Nebraska Overthrows No. 6 Illinois

Champaign, Ill. - The No. 11 Nebraska men's gymnastics team faced a close meet against the No. 6 Illini Saturday afternoon. The two teams stayed neck and neck throughout the six-rotation competition, but NU came out on top with a score of 425.400-424.250.

The Huskers started out the meet on pommel horse, one of their most inconsistent rotations. NU was unable to break their slump on the aparatus, with only freshman Ethan Lottman able to break the 14.00 mark. Junior Eric Schryver came into the weekend ranked 18th nationally on pommel horse, but his routine fell short, earning him a 13.90.

Nebraska then moved to floor, where they picked up their momentum. NU finished out the second rotation just behind the Illini 141.100-140.150. The Huskers were led by sophomore Louis Klein, who entered the meet ranked 16th nationally on the event. Klein scored a 15.60 on floor, setting a new Nebraska school record. Micah Christensen, Mark Ringle and Grant Perdue finished the rotation with 14.00 scores, all above 14.40.

NU continued their strong performance during their third rotation - vault. Sophomore Grant Perdue set a new personal best after earning a 15.30 as the last vaulter for the Huskers. Josh Ungar and Wyatt Aycock tied scores on the event, grabbing 14.70s.

The Huskers saw their strongest showing yet on rings, placing all five gymnasts with scores of 14.00 or better. Junior specialist Donovan Arndt led Nebraska on the aparatus, earning a 14.90 on his routine. Junior Zach Hedval grabbed a new personal best on rings with a score of 14.70.

Nebraska entered the fifth rotation in a close match with Illinois, trailing the Illini 285.150-285.050. Coming off of a decent showing on high bar at home, the Huskers struggled to find their rhythm on the event. Junior Micah Christensen started off the rotation for NU, struggling in the middle of his routine. Despite an otherwise strong performance, the Port Orchard, Wash., native captured a 12.75 on the event. Klein led the team on the event, earning a 14.10 for his routine.

After losing some steam in the fifth rotation, the Huskers hoped to redeem themselves on parallel bars. CJ Schaaf started off the final rotation for Nebraska, scoring a solid 14.00. Freshman Sam Chamberlain, who entered the meet ranked 19th nationally on parallel bars, followed Schaaf with a 15.10, a new personal best and the top score of the meet.

NU finished out the meet just ahead of the Illini, topping Illinois 425.400-424.250. Junior Wyatt Aycock finished third in the all-around competition with a total score of 84.150.

The Huskers will take a week off to strengthen and perfect their routines before they travel back to Minneapolis, Minn., for the Big Ten Championships.